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While the 2016 NAILE continues through November 17, providing ample opportunity to visit the Giant Country Store, see livestock including cattle, goats, sheep, and swine, tonight marks your last chance to experience the thunder of the North American Championship Rodeo in the circuit finals of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
Top cowboys and cowgirls from Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin are competing for over $80,000 in prizes as well as the title of Regional Champion.
The circuit finals include a variety of events including the bucking of bareback and saddled bronco riding, the action of roping and wrestling calves and steer, the speed of barrel racing. The night culminates with the thunder of bull riding as cowboys seek to hang on for a full ride of eight seconds as a bucking bull weighing up to a ton or more tries his best to shake the cowboy from his back.
The rodeo starts at 7:30PM tonight with tickets starting at $32 for adults and $10 for children. Be sure to show up early to experience everything else that the North American International Livestock Expo has to offer, including more animal excitement like the Draft Horse show and Cowboy Mounted Shooting events, in which Cowboys and Cowgirls race through the arena at full speed atop their horse while attempting to hit all of the targets with real firearms (shooting specialized blanks, of course) in less time than their opponents. Continue reading
While the North American International Livestock Exposition is packed with competitions, sales and contests, visitors in the know schedule time for the Giant Country Store. The store is located in the North Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center and open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 5-17. The exception is Nov. 11-12, which offers extended hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Giant Country Store features more than 200,000 square feet of exhibit space and 200 vendors offering almost anything you can imagine associated with livestock gear and western wear. All the latest products related to showing livestock are available, including specialized vehicle trailers for transporting animals and livestock gear, such as bridles and saddles. Shoppers will also find clothing, belt buckles, cowboy hats, arts and crafts, musical instruments, handcrafted furniture and jewelry. “Cowgirl chic” boutiques with the latest trends in western-style clothing and accessories round out the shopping experience.
When it’s time to take a break from shopping, visitors head to the expansive food court located nearby. From pizza to pork chops – there are tempting treats to fit everyone’s taste buds.
Another popular stop in the North Wing is the Art of Wool showcase, featuring displays and demonstrations by crafters of how wool goes from sheep to shawl. Children can visit the Children’s Barnyard, where they have the opportunity to interact with rabbits, mini horses, lambs, newly-hatched ducklings and other baby animals.
For more information, visit www.livestockexpo.org.
The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE), the largest all-breed, purebred livestock expo in the world, returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center November 1-17. The event draws nearly 30,000 entries across 10 livestock divisions, all under one roof. Representing the 48 contiguous states, NAILE exhibitors show cattle, mules and donkeys, goats, swine, llamas and alpacas, sheep and horses, as they compete for nearly $750,000 in premiums and awards. The expo also attracts livestock breeders and agriculture professionals from around the world, contributing an estimated $8 million to the area’s economy.
NAILE strives to prepare the next generation for tomorrow’s breeding challenges, hosting the National Collegiate and 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contests. The exposition’s premier event, the Sale of Champions, benefits young exhibitors who often go on to pursue careers in agriculture. In 2015, the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion auction of steers, hogs and lambs brought in a record-breaking $110,000. Through the years, more than $1.75 million has been raised to promote youth involvement in agribusiness and fund charitable endeavors.
The expo kicks off with the North American Quarter Horse Show in Broadbent Arena November 1-9. Consistently ranked as a top five show by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), this competition features events such as halter, reining, cutting and team penning. The North American Championship Rodeo is also held in conjunction with NAILE, November 10-12 in Freedom Hall. Top cowboys and cowgirls compete for $80,000 in prize money and the title of Regional Champion in events ranging from bull riding to steer wrestling and women’s barrel racing to team roping. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. each night and tickets range from $25-$32 for adults and $5-$10 for children, depending on the evening.
The Giant Country Store draws shoppers interested in browsing the latest in western wear, livestock gear, musical instruments, handcrafted furniture, art, jewelry and more. The Farm City Luncheon is also a NAILE tradition. Produced by Louisville’s Agribusiness Industry Network, the program includes the presentation of the “Agribusiness of the Year” award and “Wing Tip Rodeo.” Ticket order forms are available at www.agribusinesslouisville.com/farm-city-luncheon.html.
Prices for NAILE admission and parking are:
- Children (ages 2-12) $3
- Adults $6 Seniors (age 55 and older) $3
- Parking (per day) $8 Admission passes and parking passes valid throughout the expo can be purchased for $25 each.
For more information about NAILE, the North American Quarter Horse Show and the North American Championship Rodeo, visit www.livestockexpo.org.
It might be hard to believe with the relatively cooler weather that Louisville has been enjoying, but the Kentucky State Fair is upon us.
The 2014 Kentucky State Fair runs from August 14 through August 24. Gates open at 7 a.m. with exhibits opening at 9 a.m. The midway and tents will close at midnight while exhibit halls close at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission at the gate is $10 for adults and $6 for children and seniors (55+) with several special discount days including half price admission for active duty and veteran military members and their family on Military Monday (August 18), and $1 admission for patrons 55 years of age and older on Humana Seniors’ Discount Day (August 19).
Popular events include concerts (see schedule below) with performers including Billy Currington, Styx, Foreigner, Joan Jett, and locals Plain White T’s. There are also Civil War and War of 1812 exhibits and an exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the US Congress’s recognition of Kentucky’s favorite spirit, Bourbon, as a distinctive product of the United States. See the full daily schedule here.
While at the fair, visitors can use the Kentucky State Fair mobile site for easier navigation of fair information.
Parking is available at the Kentucky Exposition Center, with room for 19,000 vehicles, at a cost of $8 per vehicle. Access Fair gates 1-6 from Phillips Lane, Crittenden Drive and Preston Highway. Free off-site parking is also available both weekends of the fair starting at 4:00 p.m. in lots B, C and D of the Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium green lot off of Floyd Street. A free shuttle is available with purchase of gate admission or presentation of advance tickets.
Given the large number of Fair visitors from around the state and beyond combined with local construction projects, be sure to keep an eye on the Louisville Dispatch Traffic page for live traffic conditions and drive times.
The Kentucky State Fair begins tomorrow; visit Louisville Dispatch and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for highlights from the 2014 State Fair. Continue reading